Abstract: A sample holder for use in a centrifuge, the sample holder being generally planar and comprising: an aperture or recess for releasably retaining a sample storage member including a sample chamber adapted to contain a volume of liquid; a centre point around which the holder will rotate during use; and one or more calibration features, wherein the calibration feature(s) comprise one or more outer edges, which lie on the side of the or each calibration feature which is furthest from the centre point, and the one or more outer edges comprise a series of radially spaced-apart outer edge portions or positions which are spaced at different distances from the centre point as a function of angular position around the centre point.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in a whole blood sample includes a sample holder including an elongate sample chamber having an open end and a closed end. A holding member is adapted to receive and retain the sample holder. The holding member rotates may rotate about an axis of rotation. When the sample holder is received and retained by the holding member the sample chamber is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. First and second light sources are positioned on one side of the sample holder and are configured to emit light in respective different frequencies. At least one light sensor is positioned on a second side of the sample holder, opposite from the first side, so that light from the light source may pass through the sample chamber, in at least one rotational position of the sample holder, and impinge on the light sensor.

Abstract: A cuvette comprising: a main body having a sample chamber formed therein, the sample chamber communicating with the exterior of the cuvette by an opening formed in the exterior of the main body, wherein the sample chamber comprises a first sample chamber and a second sample chamber, the first sample chamber being in fluid communication with the opening, and the second sample chamber having a first end which is in fluid communication with the first sample chamber, and a second, closed end, the second sample chamber being in fluid communication with the exterior of the cuvette only through the first chamber, the first chamber having a width which is greater than that of the second chamber, and further wherein the greatest width of the opening is greater than or equal to the greatest width of the first sample chamber, the greatest width of the first sample chamber is greater than or equal to the greatest width of the second sample chamber, and the width of the sample chamber, passing from the opening to the clos

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in a whole blood sample, comprising: a sample holder including an elongate sample chamber having an open end and a closed end; a holding member adapted to receive and retain the sample holder, wherein the holding member may rotate about an axis of rotation, and wherein, when the sample holder is received and retained by the holding member the sample chamber is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation; first and second light sources positioned on one side of the sample holder, configured to emit light in respective different frequencies; and at least one light sensor positioned on a second side of the sample holder, opposite from the first side, so that light from the light source may pass through the sample chamber, in at least one rotational position of the sample holder, and impinge on the at least one light sensor.

Abstract: A cuvette comprising: a main body having a sample chamber formed therein, the sample chamber communicating with the exterior of the cuvette by an opening formed in the exterior of the main body, wherein the sample chamber comprises a first sample chamber and a second sample chamber, the first sample chamber being in fluid communication with the opening, and the second sample chamber having a first end which is in fluid communication with the first sample chamber, and a second, closed end, the second sample chamber being in fluid communication with the exterior of the cuvette only through the first chamber, the first chamber having a width which is greater than that of the second chamber, and further wherein the greatest width of the opening is greater than or equal to the greatest width of the first sample chamber, the greatest width of the first sample chamber is greater than or equal to the greatest width of the second sample chamber, and the width of the sample chamber, passing from the opening to the clos

Abstract: A sample holder for use in a centrifuge, the sample holder being generally planar and comprising: an aperture or recess for releasably retaining a sample storage member including a sample chamber adapted to contain a volume of liquid; a centre point around which the holder will rotate during use; and one or more calibration features, wherein the calibration feature(s) comprise one or more outer edges, which lie on the side of the or each calibration feature which is furthest from the centre point, and the one or more outer edges comprise a series of radially spaced-apart outer edge portions or positions which are spaced at different distances from the centre point as a function of angular position around the centre point.